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Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Sep 24, 2024
Winter Haven man arrested by PCSO after ramming patrol car, fleeing, and crashing
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
23-year old Camerin Keelan of Winter Haven was arrested by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Monday, September 23, 2024.
At about 10:16 pm, PCSO deputies responded to the Carefree Cove neighborhood of Winter Haven due to a reported domestic violence incident.
The suspect (Keelan) fled the scene, but the PCSO Air unit noticed a suspicious vehicle driving around in the neighborhood and reported it to patrol units.
Deputy Howard parked her patrol car at the only exit from the neighborhood, and remained there with her emergency lights on.
Keelan intentionally drove his black 2014 Toyota Camry at Deputy Howard's vehicle and rammed it. Keelan fled the area and headed south on Lake Alfred Road with Deputy Howard following behind.
The Toyota Camry crashed into a light pole and then a boulder at the RaceTrac store, south of the intersection of Havendale and US 17.
Keelan fled from the crash and continued running south until deputies caught him and cuffed him.
Keelan was taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with: aggravated assault on LEO, fleeing to elude, resisting with violence, resisting without violence, leaving the scene of a crash, and violation of probation.
Camerin Keelan was out on pre-trial release for lewd & lascivious on a victim between 12-16 years old.
Deputy Howard was not injured when her patrol car was rammed.